Male reproductive seasonality of the Snake-eyed Lizard, Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832, from Lebanon (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

Abstract

We studied the male reproductive cycle in a population of Ophisops elegans from Mount Sannine, Lebanon, by histological analysis. Testicular histology showed active spermatogenesis in spring, followed by a testicular regression at the end of summer and a subsequent recrudescence in autumn. Monthly variations in the epididymis, the ductus deferens and the sexual segment of the kidney were in synchrony with the testicular cycle. They were hypertrophied as spermatogenetic activity increased and atrophied as spermatogenetic activity decreased. Males of O. elegans showed a vernal type of spermatogenesis with a close relationship between the evolution of the seminiferous tubules and the secondary sexual characters.

Keywords:

• Spermiogenesis
• epididymis
• vas deferens
• sexual segment of kidney
• vernal cycle